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<br />Rllral Water Supply Bill: The Senate has passed S, 895 by unanimous consent on November 16, .
<br />sending the measure to the House, where it has been referred to the Resources Committee, WSWC Vice
<br />Chair, Duane Smith, of Oklahoma, testified in support of the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act at a
<br />May II hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Chaired by Senator Pete
<br />Domenici (R-NM), who introduced the bill.
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<br />Title I directs the Secretary of Interior to: (I) investigate and identify opportunities to ensure safe and
<br />adequate rural water supply projects for municipal and industrial use in small communities and rural areas
<br />in Reclamation States; and (2) conduct appraisal investigations and feasibility studies for projects, in
<br />cooperation with a qualifying non-federal project entity. It also directs the Secretary to develop eligibility
<br />criteria and means to prioritize requests for assistance. Further, the Secretary is to assess the status of all
<br />rural water supply projects under the Secretary's jurisdiction, in consultation with the Secretary of
<br />Agriculture, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of the Indian Health
<br />Service, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of the Anny (including projects
<br />authorized for construction but not completed prior to enactment of the bill). The Secretary is also to
<br />solicit state comments, It sets forth non-federal cost sharing requirements for feasibility studies and
<br />addresses the finlUlcial capability of non-federal entities to pay capital construction costs.
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<br />Title II, the Twenty-First Century Water Works Act, authorizes the Secretary ofInterior to make available
<br />federal loan guarantees of up to 90% of the cost of construction of eligible rural water projects, and
<br />directs the Secretary to develop and publish in the Federal Register criteria for determining eli~i1ity,
<br />The term "project" is defmed-broadtY'toincliR!e extraoroinary operation or mamtenance activities at
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<br />existing facilities authorized under federal Reclamation Law and construct-ed by the United States, or
<br />projects where there is a repayment or water service contract with the United States. It also directs Interior .
<br />to consult with USDA before promulgating criteria for financial appraisal functions and loan guarantee
<br />administration. Further, the Secretary and Secretary of Agriculture may enter into a memorandum of
<br />agreement for USDA activities under this title, The "savings" provisions related to state water law are
<br />repeated under this title,
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<br />BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE 109TH CONGRESS:
<br />SENATE
<br />S,2003.~, VVY1DEN
<br />A bill to make permanent the authorization for watershed restoration and enhancement
<br />agreements; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, (See p, S 12766, CR,
<br />November 14,2005,)
<br />
<br />S, 2037. Mr, SAJLPLlAJt
<br />A bin to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, and
<br />for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, (See p, S 13160, CR,
<br />November 17, 2005,)
<br />HOUSE
<br />H,R. 4383. ~, SALPLlAJt
<br />A bill to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, and
<br />for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources. (See p, H10909, CR, November 17,
<br />2005.)
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<br />COMMITTEE ACTION
<br />H. Reot. 109-272
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